Naval Brigade (Naval Guard Section) Regulations 1918 (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1919, No. 63, were enacted to make regulations under the Naval Defence Act 1910–1918, reflecting amendments to the existing Naval Brigade (Naval Guard Section) Regulations. This legislative instrument was introduced by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia to address gaps in the administration and financial support of naval personnel during the First World War. The policy objective of these regulations was to ensure that naval personnel were appropriately compensated and managed, aligning their pay and allowances with those of corresponding ratings in the Royal Australian Naval Brigade, while also introducing specific allowances for separation and cooking duties. The regulations were signed by the Governor-General, with advice from the Federal Executive Council, and came into operation on the specified dates outlined within the document.

Scope and Application

The Regulations under the Naval Defence Act 1910–1918 apply to personnel who are enrolled in the Naval Brigade (Naval Guard Section) and serve within the Commonwealth of Australia. The regulations pertain specifically to the conditions of service, pay, allowances, and the terms of probation and discharge for these personnel. The scope of the regulations includes the amendment of existing rules regarding the confirmation of service, the adjustment of pay rates, the introduction of various allowances, and the provision of a uniform allowance in place of uniform issues. These regulations extend to all personnel who are enlisted in the Naval Brigade and are employed in the service during the period of the war. The regulations are intended to govern the conduct and compensation of these personnel in alignment with the broader objectives of the Naval Defence Act. The regulations do not explicitly state any exclusions or thresholds, but they do provide specific conditions and criteria that must be met for the application of certain provisions, such as the eligibility for Separation Allowance and the payment of a proportionate amount of Separation Allowance. The application of these regulations may be further extended or clarified through subordinate instruments, which may provide additional rules and directives under the authority of the Act.

Key Provisions

The Regulations under the Naval Defence Act 1910–1918 introduce several key provisions, starting with amendments to the enrolment and confirmation process for naval personnel. Specifically, Regulation 19(2) mandates that successful applicants undergo a probation period of one month before their ratings for war service can be confirmed by the District Naval Officer if their conduct and service are deemed satisfactory. Regulation 19(3) stipulates that those not confirmed or with unsatisfactory conduct or service must be discharged by the District Naval Officer. Regulation 23 has been repealed and replaced with new provisions regarding pay and allowances. The new Regulation 23(a) adjusts the daily rate of pay for Chief Petty Officers and Petty Officers, setting it at 10s. 6d. and 10s. per diem, respectively, effective from 1 January 1919. Additionally, Regulation 23(b) introduces a Cooking Allowance of 1s. per diem for ratings below Leading Ratings employed in cook’s duties, provided they are competent and perform their duties satisfactorily. Regulation 23(c) details the Separation Allowance, which includes a base allowance of 20s. for a wife living at home, 20s. for a mother living at home and solely dependent on the member for support, and 6s. for each child under 16 years solely dependent on the member. The total daily pay, including the Separation Allowance, should not exceed 9s. per diem, with proportionate adjustments if necessary. Regulation 25(8) allows for a Uniform Allowance of 6d. per day in lieu of issuing uniforms, subject to the approval of the Naval Board. These Regulations impose several obligations on parties involved, including successful applicants who must complete a probationary period to have their service ratings confirmed. The District Naval Officer is tasked with assessing the conduct and service of these applicants and making the necessary confirmations or discharges. Furthermore, the Regulations require the payment of specific allowances and adjustments to pay rates for different categories of naval personnel. The separation allowances are to be paid under certain conditions, ensuring that the total daily pay does not exceed 9s. per diem. Additionally, the Naval Board must approve the Uniform Allowance as an alternative to issuing uniforms. The Regulations also set out the consequences for non-compliance. While the text does not explicitly state offences or penalties, breaches of the conditions for confirmation of ratings, payment of allowances, and other specified obligations could lead to administrative actions such as discharge from service, as per the provisions in Regulation 19(3). The absence of explicit penalties suggests that the primary enforcement mechanism is through the administrative actions defined within the Regulations themselves.